So, it been a while, 2 years in fact since my last post I believe. Well since I don’t currently have a job and most of us are in isolation due to COVID-19, now seems as good a time as any to pick my blog back up.
This is one of the bottles I picked up as part of my 2016 Scotland trip when I visited the Arran distillery as a distillery exclusive bottling.
Name: Single Cask – Bourbon Cask
Age: 13
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 55.8%
Bottle Size: 70cl
Price: £70 I think
Taste: Sweet, spicy, pear, earthy,
Finish: Spicy, sweet, earthy, medium length
Rating: 10/10
The nose is light and fresh with some barley standing out initially backed up by marzipan. Shortly after I get a subtle hint of white pepper to give a touch of spice. Cover the glass for a little while and I get hints of damp forest floor which keeps it light but adds a little depth.
Onto the palate and there is an initial sweetness to it but a subtle one. You are then hit by the spice, and a fair old dollop of it at that. It is spice rather than just ABV burn also, although there is a touch of it at 55.8%. There is a light quality to the palate also with some sweet pear coming through after the spice and runs alongside the earthy character. A touch of water reduces the spice and earthy levels although they still remain, it really brings out the pear though.
The finish has a medium length to it where the spicy is still present but so is the sweetness. The earthy characteristics are the longest lasting though.
Overall… I love this whisky, it’s amazing. It’s fresh so a great summer dram but has complexity to it so I have enjoyed it as a savouring dram in winter months.